Blog Categories: Exploring Culture Through Food

Exploring Culture through Food

Have you heard someone say "why can't people just

Have you heard someone say "why can't people just make food at home!? It's cheaper and healthier!"?

When we talk about fast food, it's not just about the convenience. It can be the only option for so many reasons and we need to stop demonizing it.

My apologies for the very busy slides, but this is literally what I'm talking about. I used prices for my location and grocery store and the cost is for 1 person. If you want to also add in "everyone should eat organic", then the cost of the homecooked meals need to go up. Also add in the need for storage for the leftover food and ingredients.

I'm sure I missed plenty of things on these lists. What would you add?

ID:
1: Costco Hot Dog and Drink in pink text over a black background. Below is a graphic of a hot dog and a drink cup. It reads what is needed: cost without tax $1.50. Access to a Costco. Transportation to get there.
2: Homemade "healthy" meal in pink text over a black background. Below is a graphic of chicken legs, lettuce, and rice. It reads what is needed: estimated cost of $4.19. Access to food/fresh vegetables, grocery store or delivery service. Transportation to get there/funds for deliver. Access to a clean, functioning kitchen with needed equipment and tools. Ability to cook/move around in the kitchen. Ability to follow a recipe or make a meal. Time.
3: Wendy's Apple Pecan Salad in pink text over a black background. Below is a graphic of a bowl of salad. It reads what is needed: cost without tax $8.29. Access to a Wendy's. Transportation to get there/funds for delivery.
4: Homemade Apple Pecan Salad in pink text over a black background. Below is a graphic of a bowl of salad. It reads what is needed: estimated cost: $12.31. Access to food/fresh vegetables, grocery store or delivery service. Transportation to get there/funds for deliver. Access to a clean, functioning kitchen with needed equipment and tools. Ability to cook/move around in the kitchen. Ability to follow a recipe or make a meal. Time.

The book is here!! It's Always Been Ours: Rewritin

The book is here!! It's Always Been Ours: Rewriting the Story of Black Women's Bodies by @jessicawilson.msrd

I'm at a loss for words because of the impact this book (your words) and you, Jessica, have had on my life and career. I looked up to you as I was a newly Black dietitian in the eating disorder field and your message was different than the rest. You have helped me to critically think about how I am working with my clients and start working on changing the narrative. You have supported me and encouraged me and I am so appreciative.

Thank you for this book. Thank you for seeing me. Grateful, thankful, blessed or whatever white people say.

And thank you for the acknowledgement! My name is in a freaking book. I may have shed some tears on the drive home 😂🙌🏾

"This book is specifically for Black women. To end the pathologizing and problemetizing of our bodies, for us to stop placing ownership of whiteness onto our bodies." - excerpt from It's Always Been Ours

Please go buy this book. No matter who you are or what you look like. We have needed this. #itsalwaysbeenours

ID:
1: the cover of the book It's Always Been Ours
2: the open book of It's Always Been Ours and a cup of light brown coffee at the bottom
3: Jessica wearing a black top and orange coat and Brianna wearing a black fuzzy jacket and holding It's Always Been Ours pose for a picture
4: the window of Greenlight Bookstore
5: Brianna's name circled in the book with a heart next to it

Hi! It's about that time for another introduction

Hi! It's about that time for another introduction post 🤗

I'm Brianna, the face of The Celestial Life. Fun fact, The Celestial Life started from Celestial Baking which was where I would share all of my baking and some fun recipes on my blog! The "celestial" aspect comes from my middle name Celeste, which comes from my mom's last name. I wanted to form my business around my identity without it being my name.

The purpose of The Celestial Life is to give you a space to explore and challenge narratives that you've heard your whole life about what you should eat, what you should look like, how you should embrace your culture, and so on. It's about moving away from the "shoulds" and "should nots" and learning what works best for you.

And I'm your guide on that journey! Whether that's individual nutrition counseling, group or individual meal support, or my exciting future offerings of grocery support and BIPOC group support.

What else do you want to know about me or @TheCelestialLifeRD!?

Cultural humility is recognizing your own biases a

Cultural humility is recognizing your own biases and privileges while honoring your client’s beliefs and values. It involves empathy and compassion, lifelong learning, challenging your biases, and being client-centered.

How do you practice cultural humility? Let us know below!

For the full article, check out the link in our bios!

ID: Five recommendations for providers to approach clients from a place of cultural humility and inclusivity.
1. Ask clients what their family’s food cultural looks like.
a. What meals and snacks were consumed?
b. What times were those consumed?
c. What were those meals and snacks composed of?
d. Where did the family eat?
e. Was eating an individual or communal experience?
2. Discuss what it means for your clients to eat their culture foods.
a. Note that not everyone wants to incorporate their culture into their diet and that’s okay. Don’t assume that your client wants to do this.
3. Consider how to ask questions about identity and culture with nuance and individualization.
a. Some clients may not want you to ask about their culture because they don’t want to be responsible for educating you about it. Some may want you to ask and might feel that the session is more inclusive if you do ask.
b. As you continue to build rapport with your clients, you can develop a sense of how to practice cultural humility in a way that is inclusive of their individualized needs. As always, consider supervision from a BBIPOC provider for more support.
4. Critically consider the nutrition information you are being educated on.
a. Who has been included in the research studies that are informing the education you’re receiving?
b. What was the main goal or purpose of these studies?
c. Who is funding the research that this information is being based on?

Continued in the comments.

2022 was a year of transition for me both personal

2022 was a year of transition for me both personally and professionally. I fostered my relationships and built my community. I said yes! I started the home buying process. I participated in the first BIPOC ED conference and led my first seminar. I had my first pole dance performance. I took an opportunity at a black woman-owned practice where I can take insurance and left my stable full-time job.

As I reflect and think of all the amazing things I was able to do, it leaves me so excited for the year to come. I will continue fostering relationships and developing new connections. I will be a home owner and a wife! I will hopefully get me some pets.

And as far as The Celestial Life, I have lots of things in the works including meal support, support groups, and some courses. 🤗

Stay tuned for what 2023 has to offer.

Something that I have been working on this year (m

Something that I have been working on this year (maybe more unintentionally than intentionally) is building community. Now that I've been able to reflect on it, I'm realizing what an impact it has made. My communities have provided support, connection, belonging, education, and safety.

"...we are also compelled to build community not only because we are survivors in an existing world order, but because we bring differences to a society that erases our differences... By building community we put some order in the fragmented world." -Shirley Suet-ling Tang

Where do you find your community?

How do you build community after isolation?

To my community, thank you. I would not be where I am today without you. ❤

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